A.) 1. A Murshid is a person who guides to the complete following of the Shari'ah.

2. A Murshid must have these 5 qualities: a) He must possess knowledge of the Qur'an and Sunnah, whether through academic studies or by sitting in the company of an Aalim; b) He must inculcate taqwa (piety) in his life by totally abstaining from major sins and not being habitual in minor sins; c) He must be disinclined from the dunya (this world and its possessions) and his focus should be on authentic dhikr; d) He must command good and forbid evil; e) He must have stayed in the company of another Murshid from an authentic Silsila, learning the path of sulook (journeying towards Allah) and have received Ijaazat (permission to initiate others in the path of Sulook) from that Murshid. You may make a person with these 5 qualities as your guide. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyah vol.1 pg.132)

3. Silsila Uwaysiya is named after the famous Taabi'ee, Uways al-Qarni [ra]. He lived in the time of Nabi [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] but due to being in the service of his mother, he was unable to meet the Prophet [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam]. Nabi [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam] spoke very highly of Uways al-Qarni. His specialty was that he was able to derive guidance and spiritual upliftment even though he was not in the company of Nabi [Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam]. Those Awliyaa who are blessed with this same quality are said to be from Silsila Uwaysiya. Only a selected few chosen by Allah Ta'ala have the honor of being included in Silsila Uwaysiyah. It is a gift from Allah and cannot be attained volitionally and out of one's own will. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best